After our day on the Beartooth Highway we were up early in hopes of spotting some wildlife as we traversed the northern portion of the park on our way back to Montana. What we were really hoping for was a wolf roaming the Lamar Valley. What we got was bison, elk, deer and pronghorn. Not bad, but not a wolf. The bison were causing the usual traffic jams as we worked our way across the valley.
It was still early when we arrived at Tower Junction so we turned south and headed to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
After a stop at all the viewpoints around Yellowstone Falls we kept moving and found our way to Norris Geyser Basin.
Despite the parking lot at the basin being only two thirds full (maybe), nobody was being allowed access to the “full” (according to the sign) lot and hundreds of people were parking in the ditch along the highway and hoofing it in to see the sights. Oh the joys of visiting National Parks.
As we walked along the boardwalks, raised above the steaming frothy pools of boiling water we looked on while mom let her 4 year old reach down and get a feel for the ‘stream’ running below the walkway. Natural selection at work?
It’s been many years since I walked around the Yellowstone geyser basins. It still inspires some awe, with all that energy bubbling up from below the Earth’s crust, spewing out with sulfurous smells and supporting all sorts of other worldly life coloring the pools.
We continued north to Mammoth for one more stroll before exiting the park by way of the Roosevelt Arch.
Created by an act of Congress “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People” in 1872. It seems like such a novel concept in 2026.
Our day in Yellowstone complete, we headed down the Yellowstone River to find a spot to stay for the night. We’d continue our trip across southwest Montana in the morning.
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